BRATTLEBORO — This summer of excessive heat and humidity was an uncomfortable time for many who are used to a cooler northern climate. However, there are some practical solutions. Homes that have been built or retrofitted with a focus on high performance will not only give comfort and save money, they will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Sustainable Energy Outreach Network (SEON) is holding its third annual Sustainable Home Tour on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it includes six homes.
According to a news release, the Network's goal is to highlight homes that have incorporated features and systems that make for a high performance home. While energy efficiency takes the lead in high performance homes, it must always be connected with durability (water and vapor management), indoor air quality, comfort, and maintenance.
The featured homes include: two new homes, one home under construction (showing what is inside a wall system), two deep energy retrofits of 100-year-old houses (one being a net-zero farmhouse) and one addition/renovation/retrofit.
The builders will be available to explain the challenges and goals of their projects, explaining their approach to the project, the decisions they made in consultation with the homeowner, and why a particular product was chosen over another.
Some of the homeowners will also be available to answer questions about what led them to undertake these projects, how satisfied they are with the results, and what they would have done differently. This learning opportunity for the public is the highlight of the event.
Tickets will be available on the day of the tour at whatever house you visit first. Specific tour highlights, tickets, and home addresses can be found at www.seon.info/hometour.